Abstract: A lock assembly is provided for use with a dispenser comprising a housing having an interior volume for holding a dispensable product, the housing having an openable part for providing an access to the interior of the housing. The lock assembly comprises a lock housing, an operation mode insert portion, a lock cylinder comprising a lock cylinder base and a bore adapted to receive the operation mode insert portion, a latch connected to the lock cylinder base operable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, and a resilient member biasing the latch towards the locked configuration. The operation mode insert portion is configured to form a releasable connection with the lock cylinder base and the releasable connection is accessible at the lock cylinder base to allow release of the connection and removal of the operation mode insert portion from the lock cylinder.

Abstract: A lock structure is provided for use with a dispenser comprising a housing have an interior volume for holding a dispensable product, the housing having openable part for providing access to the interior of the housing. The lock structure has a lock housing, a latch operable between a locked position and an unlocked position, a lock cylinder structure comprising a rotation means insert portion, and a resilient member for biasing the latch toward the locked position. The lock structure is provided with an overload protection mechanism formed by a resilient obstruction positioned to define an extreme position that corresponds to the locked or unlocked position of the latch and is adapted to give way upon experiencing an overload force to allow the lock cylinder structure to rotate beyond the extreme position.

Abstract: A dispenser lock assembly, including a mechanical lock assembly for locking an openable part to a fixed part and an electronic lock assembly. The mechanical lock assembly including a movably mounted part allowing operation of the mechanical lock assembly and a latch connected to the operation part such that upon operation of the operation part the latch is moved from a locked to an unlocked position, the electronic lock assembly including a blocking member movable between a blocking and an unblocking position, an electric actuator for moving the blocking member between blocking and unblocking positions, a receiver for receiving an unlock signal, a control unit that compares the unlock signal to at least one prestored value and upon determining that the unlock signal matches one of the at least one prestored values controlling the electric actuator to move the blocking member from the blocking to the unblocking position.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for manually actuating rotation of a roller of a sheet material dispenser for dispensing a predetermined length of sheet material. The mechanism includes a frame member; a driven member configured for coupling with the roller; an actuating member configured to rotate about a rotation axis in a first direction through manual actuation by a user; and a driver member coupled with the actuating member. The rotation axis is movably mounted on the frame member to be movable between a first position allowing rotation of the roller caused by rotation of the actuating member in the first direction, and a second position preventing rotation of the roller caused by rotation of the actuating member in the first direction. The mechanism includes a first urging member configured to urge the rotation axis in the first position. A related assembly and dispenser including the mechanism are also provided.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for manually actuating rotation of a roller of a sheet material dispenser for dispensing a predetermined length of sheet material. The mechanism includes a frame member; a driven member configured for coupling with the roller; an actuating member configured to rotate about a rotation axis in a first direction through manual actuation by a user; and a driver member coupled with the actuating member. The rotation axis is movably mounted on the frame member to be movable between a first position allowing rotation of the roller caused by rotation of the actuating member in the first direction, and a second position preventing rotation of the roller caused by rotation of the actuating member in the first direction. The mechanism includes a first urging member configured to urge the rotation axis in the first position. A related assembly and dispenser including the mechanism are also provided.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing discrete sheets of interfolded media is disclosed. The sheet dispenser is provided with an elastomeric cover which defines a perimeter and a cover opening located within the perimeter through which a pack of sheets can be installed and through which individual sheets can be removed. The elastomeric cover can be resiliently deflectable between a resting state in which the elastomeric cover extends generally parallel to the base and a deflected state in which the elastomeric cover bends in a direction towards the base. The elastomeric cover is bent into the deflected state and into the interior of the dispenser by the media pack during installation of the pack and return to the resting state once the media pack has been fully installed into the dispenser.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing paper toweling. The dispenser including a towel support that is positionable in a first dispensing position when a drive roller rotates in a first direction, and that is positionable in a second auto-loading position when the drive roller rotates in a second direction. Rotation of the drive roller in the first and second directions automatically loading the paper toweling for subsequent dispense.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing paper toweling. The dispenser including a towel support that is positionable in a first dispensing position when a drive roller rotates in a first direction, and that is positionable in a second auto-loading position when the drive roller rotates in a second direction. Rotation of the drive roller in the first and second directions automatically loading the paper toweling for subsequent dispense.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing paper toweling. The dispenser including a towel support that is positionable in a first dispensing position when a drive roller rotates in a first direction, and that is positionable in a second auto-loading position when the drive roller rotates in a second direction. Rotation of the drive roller in the first and second directions automatically loading the paper toweling for subsequent dispense.

Abstract: The invention is particularly useful for sorting, altering or maintaining the orientation items of differing sizes moved by a sorter. The endless loop's carriers include belts that both transport and sort the items. Followers clasp the belts about the lengthwise periphery of the carriers' slats and also engage lines, diverters, crossovers and receivers. When a follower is diverted toward a crossover, transverse motion is imparted to its corresponding carrier's belt. Routers can be incorporated into the sorter for enhancing the control of the orientation and sortation of items advanced by the endless loop's carriers.

Abstract: The invention is particularly useful for accumulation conveyors. An assembly located beneath its corresponding zone of item transporting rollers activates the item transporting rollers by lifting the accumulator's narrow belt to engage the underneath side of the item transporting rollers. Electric actuation rather than the traditional pneumatic actuation activates the assembly's vertical movement toward its corresponding zone of item transporting rollers. Whether activated or not, the assembly's rack journals a plurality of pressure rollers that remain contiguous with the narrow belt. Centering of the sideways movement of the narrow belt as the belt travels about the rack is associated with either a pivoting tracking roller journaled in the rack or a flanged pressure roller or rollers channel in the rack. A constant force takeup can be supplied to the belt.

Abstract: The invention is particularly useful for accumulation conveyors. An assembly located beneath its corresponding zone of item transporting rollers activates the item transporting rollers by lifting the accumulator's narrow belt to engage the underneath side of the item transporting rollers. Electric actuation rather than the traditional pneumatic actuation activates the assembly's vertical movement toward its corresponding zone of item transporting rollers. Whether activated or not, the assembly's rack journals a plurality of pressure rollers that remain contiguous with the narrow belt. Centering of the sideways movement of the narrow belt as the belt travels about the rack is associated with either a pivoting tracking roller journaled in the rack or a flanged pressure roller or rollers channel in the rack. A constant force takeup can be supplied to the belt.

Abstract: The invention is particularly useful for sorting, altering or maintaining the orientation items of differing sizes moved by a sorter. The endless loop's carriers include belts that both transport and sort the items. Followers clasp the belts about the lengthwise periphery of the carriers' slats and also engage lines, diverters, crossovers and receivers. When a follower is diverted toward a crossover, transverse motion is imparted to its corresponding carrier's belt. Routers can be incorporated into the sorter for enhancing the control of the orientation and sortation of items advanced by the endless loop's carriers.

Abstract: The invention is particularly useful for sorting items of differing sizes. The endless loop's carriers include belts that both transport and sort the items. Followers clasp the belts about the lengthwise periphery of the carriers' slats and also engage lines, diverters, crossovers and receivers. When a follower is diverted toward a crossover, transverse sorting motion is imparted to its corresponding carrier's belt. Followers can also include delays for prolonging the longevity of the diverters. And when the size of the item being sorted mandates, a diverter can divert sequential followers, in series.

Abstract: The invention is particularly useful for coacting with roller tubes of conveyor apparatus. A cartridge bearing including a stub axle with a tip of greater hardness than the surface circumscribing the aperture receiving the stub axle is inserted into an end of a conveyor roller tube. Along with being electrically conductive, the stub axle can be provided with a damper for reducing vibration. The stub axle engages an electrically conductive stub shaft and moves axially with respect to the stub shaft to operatively interlock with the aperture of the fixed structure. Use of the cartridge bearing provides for the grounding of static charge that can accumulate during operation of conveyor roller tubes.

Abstract: The invention is particularly useful for coacting with roller tubes of conveyor apparatus. A cartridge bearing including a stub axle with a tip of greater hardness than the surface circumscribing the aperture receiving the stub axle is inserted into an end of a conveyor roller tube. Along with being electrically conductive, the stub axle can be provided with a damper for reducing vibration. The stub axle engages an electrically conductive stub shaft and moves axially with respect to the stub shaft to operatively interlock with the aperture of the fixed structure. Use of the cartridge bearing provides for the grounding of static charge that can accumulate during operation of conveyor roller tubes.

Abstract: A conveyor system especially suitable for transfer and spacing of articles in a smooth distortion-free manner and controlled acceleration/deceleration is provided. An endless transfer belt is driven by an endless drive belt selectively engaging the lower return run thereof. An actuator assembly including a pneumatic motor lifts a pressure roller mounted in a cradle to provide the driving function in response to one or more controllers. A plurality of transfer belt modules, all driven by the single drive belt, are aligned to form an accumulation conveyor system for establishing zero pressure between the articles. Each transfer run is supported and guided along a flat plate to provide the smooth conveying surface and to steady the articles. In the related method, the drive belt selectively drives the transfer belt or belts of the single or modular conveyors by lifting the driving run into engagement with the return run. The spacing of the articles is controlled by the one or more controllers.

Abstract: In a sortation conveyor system, a main conveyor is provided with an improved transport surface that permits the substantially frictionless movement of articles in a transverse direction relative to the forward motion of the conveyor. The transport surface includes a plurality of twin slats alternating with transverse roller assemblies which support a plurality of anti-friction rollers. Both the slats and the roller assemblies are carried by side chains. The anti-friction rollers are mounted such that the upper radial surface of each extends above the twin slats for supporting the articles being conveyed. Diverters held captive on the slats slide across the surface and direct articles in a transverse direction while supported on the anti-friction rollers, this permitting substantially frictionless movement of articles to a lateral takeaway conveyor.

Abstract: A gravity conveyor system is disclosed including a device for actively stopping the rotation of the conveyor rollers following disengagement with a conveyed article after it passes thereover and in advance of a next succeeding article. This allows each article to accelerate an engaged roller from a rest position so that precise transport control is effected without the use of positive drive mechanisms. Accurate control for throughput and accumulation results from cooperation between brake assemblies associated with each conveyor roller, a sensor assembly and a pneumatic control assembly, each combination of which acts in an operational zone. The rotation of the rollers is preferably stopped as a function of the sensed position of articles along the system.